Leinster are crowned champions of Europe after a cagey final

Alfred Griffith

He has won 112 caps, nine Rugby Championships and two World Cups with New Zealand; three World Player of the Year awards - evenly spread from 2005, 2012 and 2015 - four Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders and two Top14 wins with Perpignan and Racing.

A cagey affair that was decided by Isa Nacewa, Leinster have reclaimed the Champions Cup with a 15-12 defeat of Racing 92.

"We are like a family and you can see that by how we were defending with everyone working so hard for their mates outside them".

Their anguish was soothed slightly due to a penalty resulting from a Garry Ringrose high tackle in the ensuing passage of play, and Iribaren sent it spiraling through the posts to give his side the lead.

Leinster, boasting a host of players who helped Ireland to the Six Nations Grand Slam this season, came out of their shell on the quarter-hour mark, Jonny Sexton marshalling midfield in waves of attacks.

Penalty goals also coming from Sexton in the first and second halves.

Racing sensed the game was there for the taking and steamed into the Leinster half.

Iribaren nailed his third penalty five minutes into the second period as Racing tested the Irish defence.

The Top 14 outfit refused to lie down and quickly restored their advantage via the boot of the cool-headed Iribaren, but Leone Nakarawa's deliberate knock-on - for which he was fortunate not to be carded - allowed Sexton to tie the scores on the stroke of half-time.

Leinster had been deadlocked with Racing for the whole game, and looked as though they may have been left to rue two missed kicks by Johnny Sexton.

Offside in midfield and Nacewa stepped up to, once again, draw his Irish side level.

Racing regained possession immediately from the restart, piled on the pressure but their final drop goal was put wide with clock in the red.

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